Improved folding desk



. *fue im the mi 5pm-e' hnelt AARoN CHANDLER, or DAvnNPoa-'ixiowa Letters Patent No. 88,609, dated .pril 6, 1869.

MPROVED FOLDING DESK The Sch'edule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the cams.

To all whom it may concern: Y

Be it known that I,'AARON CHANDLER, of Davenport, Scott county, State of Iowa, have invented a new and improved Desk and Seat for Schools and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof', which will enable those skilled in the art to make and use the same, reterencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a perspective view.

Figure 2 is an end View, with the seat and desk un folded Figure 3 is an end View, having seat and desk folded.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention relates to a desk and seat for schools; and

It consists in providing slots and recesses in the end pieces, by means of which a changeable portion of the top ot the desk is made to assume a vertical position,

and to be wholly within the space between the end pieces, and in providing a hinge for the seat, which obviates the use of an arm, or cross-piece to support it, and an improved construction and arrangement of its various parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings- A is the frame, forming the support of the top of the desk, and the back ofthe seat.

In its end-pieces arethe slots B B', and the recesses G, and at its front edge, ata height desired for the bottom ofthe seat', a groove is cut, so as to leave a small upright piece, D, in which the hinge of the seat has its bearings.

B B are the slots above referred to. They are located in the upper half of the end-pieces. B is verti-- cal. B is vertical at its upper end, for a short distance, when it assumes .a gradual curve, which is continued nea-rbr to its lower` termination, where it strikes into a bolder curve. B are parallel, also B.-

G are slnallrecesses, cut in the sides of slots B, \vhich' serve as\restingplaces for the piu's on the removable top.

D is the small upright above described.

E is the seat, which has secured across its under surface, near the ends, the hinges F.

F are the hinges, whose hooked ends, lock under and behind the lower edge of the upright portion of the seat.

Gr is the changeable, or movable portion of the desk, which I prefer to cover with slate.

On its end-pieces two bolts, or pins are secured. These pieces fit into the slots and recesses and are the device for lowering the removable leaf, or top, into a vertical position.

The operation of my invention is as follows:

The desk and seat being in their natural position, elevate the disengaged portion of the removable top. This slips the pins, that resttherein, out of the sockets and into the slots, slowly elevating the said top. As the pins-slide in the slots, the rear portion soon reaches the termination of the slots, when the removable top will be found wholly within the space betweon the end-pieces.

The seat may be lifted, by its front edge, to a vertical position, and in close cout-act with the back. The rear edge falls into the groove between the small upright D and the back of the seat, thus making the seat secure in that situation. The removable top may be easily lifted back toits natural place, and the seat can be as conveniently lowered.

From the foregoing description, it is evident that a desk constructed substantially as mine, can be readily folded within the space. occupied by the end-pieces,

thus causing it to assume a compact and suitable form for transportation, and'allowing at leastvtwice the usual area to move in, whilecleaning the floor, or for other purposes.

Having thus described the nature and operation of witnesses: AARON CHANDLER.

C. W. ORMsBnn, A. L. CHANDLER. 

